Spotlights

Two Communication Students Receive National Awards from BEA

Two Otterbein University communication students recently received recognition at the Broadcast Education Association’s (BEA) Festival of Media Arts for their work in sports reporting.

Jon Bozeka, a sophomore, journalism and media communication major, won first place in the radio sports story/feature category for his feature on Otterbein’s football team, “Fight: The Otterbein 2013 Football Year in Review.”

“I never thought something like this would be possible as a sophomore. It’s really surreal,” Bozeka said. “At other schools, the broadcasting programs don’t even let students near the equipment until their junior or senior year. Otterbein is such an awesome place because they allow students to be so active from day one.”

Senior, broadcasting major Josh Overholser landed second place in the radio/TV sports play-by-play category for his play-by-play coverage of Otterbein’s men’s basketball team versus Muskingum University.

“Otterbein’s broadcasting program has provided me an excellent platform to develop my on-air skills and do what I love most – broadcast sporting events,” Overholser said. “While I’m going to miss broadcasting at Otterbein, hopefully this experience and awards like this can propel me into a successful broadcasting career after graduation.”

Both Bozeka and Overholser said they are grateful to the Department of Communication faculty, as well as the coaches and players, who have supported their efforts.

“This is a prestigious national conference and the most visible of student media competitions. We are so proud,” said Otterbein’s student radio station, WOBN-FM, faculty advisor Janice Windborne.

Both Bozeka and Overholser will be representing Otterbein at the 2014 BEA Convention in Las Vegas in April.